Marché International des Programmes de Communication

Cartoon Network At MIPJunior 2017 Overview

This weekend (14/10/2017 – 15/10/2017) was this year’s MIPJunior convention in Cannes, France. MIPJunior is an annual gathering of the international children’s media industry of which Cartoon Network also participates in. Here’s an overview of the events at the convention over the weekend.

The weekend’s events started off with a panel and awards ceremony called “View From The Top: World Screen Kids Trendsetter Awards”, which was a gathering of four programming experts from around the world discussing acquisition trends and how to spot the next big kids show and how to offer multiplatform content to a younger audience. Attending the panel was Patricia Hidalgo – Chief Content & Creative Officer EMEA and International Kids Strategy for Turner and her predecessor, Michael Carrington – Former Chief Content Officer for Cartoon Network EMEA (now in-charge of kids content for ABC in Australia).

During the panel, Patricia Hidalgo mentioned that only animation content is universally accepted as a cross-border form of children’s entertainment and live-action show won’t appeal to audiences in countries like India or China. Michael Carrington mentioned that high-quality show imports drives standards and expectations for locally produced content, he also mentioned that there’s been a viewing shift towards video-on-demand services and binge-watching also applies to children as much as adults.

Later on Saturday there was a special celebratory event for Cartoon Network’s 25th Anniversary with Rob Sorcher – Chief Content Officer of Cartoon Network and Michael Ouweleen – Chief Marketing Officer of Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang. Both Rob and Michael talked about the channel’s past, present and future. Cartoon Network is aware about the decline of linear television. Linear TV ratings isn’t much of concern, as the channel has incorporated a TV anywhere multi-screen strategy, which means viewers can enjoy their cartoons “anywhere and everywhere” and watch what they want when they want. Cartoon Network is also investing in VR (Virtual Reality) as a form of story-telling, but the technology has yet to be used properly to offer a full and proper entertainment experience on a consistent basis. Turner has opened a VR Lab in London supported by Google and Oculus (owned by Facebook) and is currently attempting to make Cartoon Network’s creative teams adapt to the new technology. Cartoon Network EMEA has already released an Adventure Time “I See Ooo” VR app for mobile devices which features a set of minigames.

Earlier today (15th October), there was a Content Strategy informal chat session with the vice president of content acquisitions and co-productions for Cartoon Network – Adina Pitt. This session was to put forward Cartoon Network’s expectations for a show acquisition or co-production deal, for instance the time-frame of when a show is ready to broadcast, which currently has a 18-month to two year time window. Also, other matters will be put into consideration during a deal, such as the potential of the show and how and will it appeal to audiences in other countries. Although, the industry has changed and the way the viewer watches content has also changed, the quality of the content will always be the same.

“Once we say yes, we could be looking at an 18m-2yr window before that series becomes available”—Adina Pitt @cartoonnetwork#MIPJunior

Later on today, Lesley Bailey – the Vice President of Channel Marketing & Brand Management for Turner EMEA Kids took part in a session called “Preparing Kids For Social Media Teenhood”, which was a discussion about social media, more specifically online bullying and the spread of false information, this session was about the transition from childhood into adolescence and helping kids be aware about the dangers of social media before they get older. During this session, Cartoon Network talked about its anti-bullying Buddy Network campaign which has spread across the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region after successful launches in the United States and Latin America.

Cartoon Network At MIPJunior 2017 Schedule

This weekend (Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October) is the annual MIPJunior convention at the JW Marriott Hotel in Cannes, France. The convention is an annual gathering of the international children’s media industry and is an opportunity to promote their programming and even to buy and sell broadcasting rights to and from other broadcasters. MIPJunior is a side event of the annual MIPCOM convention (French acronym for Marché International des Programmes de Communication, In English: International Market of Communications Programmes), which focuses on general entertainment and other genres aimed towards adults. MIPJunior is usually a major event for Cartoon Network and its usually the case that new announcements are made during one of the most important conventions in the industry. The event is more focused towards media industry professionals and is more business orientated, so its very different to a pop-culture convention like San Diego Comic-Con or MCM Comic-Con London.

Tomorrow at MIPJunior (14/10/2017), Cartoon Network will be celebrating their 25th anniversary with a special “25 Years Of Drawing On Creativity” event, Rob Sorcher – the Chief Content Officer of Cartoon Network and Michael Ouweleen – the Chief Marketing Officer of Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang will be speaking during this special event. followed by a keynote speech by Fred Seibert, the president and CEO of Frederator Networks (co-producer of Adventure Time). Fred Seibert was also president of Hanna-Barbera during Cartoon Network’s formative years.

On Sunday, there will be a fireside chat (informal conversation) about content strategy with the vice president of content acquisitions and co-productions for Cartoon Network USA – Adina Pitt. Lesley Bailey – Vice President of Channel Marketing & Brand Management for Turner EMEA Kids will also be speaking at the convention, along with Patricia Hidalgo – Chief Content & Creative Officer EMEA and International Kids Strategy for Turner and Cartoon Network’s content acquisition team will also be present at MIPJunior.

Cartoon Network MIPJunior 2017 Schedule

Below is a schedule of official Cartoon Network events and other events directly or indirectly relating to the channel or its sister brands.

Four programming experts from around the world engage in a lively discussion about acquisitions trends and offer their perspectives on how to spot hit shows and offer content to young viewers multiplatform.

On October 1, 1992, the way we enjoyed cartoons changed forever when Cartoon Network launched as the very first 24-hour network dedicated to animation. Today, that spirit of re-inventing television continues in 192 countries and over 400 million households worldwide where Cartoon Network is making kids laugh with original animated series and all-new engaging content for the mobile-first generation. As the stars align and MIPJunior also marks 25 years, join Cartoon Network at MIPJunior to celebrate its history of innovation as the leading global kids culture brand. Hear from two executives at very helm of Cartoon Network – Chief Content Officer, Rob Sorcher and Chief Marketing Officer, Michael Ouweleen – as they share a unique insight behind some of the best creative moments in the history of the channel.

Fred Seibert is the founder of Frederator Networks, the Chief Creative Officer of WOW! Unlimited Media, and a serial media entrepreneur. He was the first creative director of MTV and the last president of Hanna-Barbera Cartoons.

Frederator Networks is Channel Frederator, the leading online cartoon network, Frederator Studios, an independent production company with hits on Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon, Cartoon Hangover, the home of Bravest Warriors and Bee & PuppyCat (the most funded web series Kickstarter in history), and Frederator Books. Frederator distributes hundreds of independently owned, animator operated, YouTube channels.

(Thomas and Friends currently airs on Cartoonito UK and Cartoonito Italy)

Conference Room 1, Grand Theatre 6pm to 6.50pm

“Thomas & Friends™: Big World! Big Adventures!” (26 episodes x 11mins) sees iconic train engine Thomas traveling farther than ever before, taking kids on a journey of wonder and curiosity as he adventures around the world to experience new countries, learn about other cultures and, of course, make new international friends along the way. The show will have a more modern feel and increased global appeal for preschool viewers.

MIPJunior Opening Party

In Partnership with Mattel’s Thomas and Friends.

(Thomas and Friends currently airs on Cartoonito UK and Cartoonito Italy)

The industry’s top international buyers and commissioners are coming to Cannes. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to pitch your projects, find out what they are looking for and cement new partnerships.

Content Strategy: A Fireside Chat With Adina Pitt, Cartoon Network

Conference Room 2, Renoir 10.15am to 10.45am

In these intimate sessions, key content executives share their programming, acquisition and commissioning strategies over 30 minutes. This quality time allows producers to get a sense of what the market currently needs … and prepare their pitches accordingly.

Cyberbullying, online harassment, fake news, faker friends—let’s face it. After leaving childhood (and the gentle land of kids programming), new teenagers plunge into a world where social media is king … and not the fairest ruler. This new online universe can become a nightmare for rookies. How can the kids programming industry effectively prepare kids for the challenges of adolescence? Experts share their views.

A full schedule for MIPJunior 2017 can be downloaded via the link below: